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Girls 'feel like an eagle in the sky' at aerospace camp

Jeff Murray and Nidhi Shah
9:43 a.m. EDT July 18, 2014

Flight instructor Robert Tarnoczy and student Lucy Kaffenburger, of Elmira, prepare to take off in a glider Thursday morning from the Harris Hill soaring field, as part of this week's Eileen Collins Aerospace Camp.
(Photo:
NIDHI SHAH / STAFF PHOTO
)

Kate, 14, of Horseheads, is among 20 girls who are taking part this week in the Eileen Collins Aerospace Camp on Harris Hill in Big Flats.

For Kate, this is her fourth trip to the camp, and learning about and experiencing flight firsthand is still a big thrill.

"I like riding in a glider because I feel like an eagle in the sky," Matthews said. "The trips to the museum are always fun, but the glider rides are my favorite part."

Last week, boys ages 8 to 14 got a taste of aviation and aerospace technology, thanks to the camp, which is sponsored by the National Soaring Museum.

This week, the girls had their turn.

The week-long camp includes sailplane rides courtesy of the Harris Hill Soaring Corp., motorized plane rides provided by Costa's Flying Service, a virtual mission to Mars at the Challenger Learning Center, a visit to Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology, a night at the Kopernik Observatory, and a chance to build their own rockets.

"Most of them are interested (in aviation). We ask them why they want to go to the camp," said Kaye Norton, National Soaring Museum educational services coordinator. "Many say they want to work for NASA or go in the Air Force or become an engineer. We're having a lot of fun, but they are also learning a lot."

Going into the Air Force and on to NASA is what the camp's namesake did. The camp was originally known as the Eileen Collins Aviation Camp and was launched in 1996.

Collins, an Elmira native, was the first female pilot and commander of the space shuttle. The Corning Community College graduate who lives out of state visited the camp last week.

While Kate is a veteran of the aerospace camp, this week was the first experience for Anu Kudva, of Elmira, who followed the lead of her sibling.

"My sister went last time, and said it was fun," said Anu, 9. "My favorite part was taking a tour of the museum and learning about it."

Another camper, Olivia Hicks, is from Texas. She is spending the summer in Elmira to visit her grandmother, who mentioned the camp.

"I've never done anything like this. It's different," said Olivia, 12. "My grandmother brought it up in a conversation one day and I said I'd like to do it. It was fun. It's really cool."